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Punk #1
Punk's War
An F-14 aviator takes his readers into the cockpits, ready-rooms, and bunkrooms of today's Navy to show what it's like to fight in a time of so-called peace. From the opening chapter where a Tomcat fighter squadron's commanding officer botches an intercept of a hostile Iranian F-4 to the final uplifting scene, his novel reveals the inner workings of the military as only an insider can. It is a thriller without an airshow groupie's pretense, a fighter pilot's story as honest as it is riveting. The action is gripping and authentic, yet it punctuates rather than drives the plot. Seldom has fiction been so real.
Punk's War is part adventure tale, part introspective commentary. Adopting the tone of the quixotic lieutenants who populate its pages, the novel helps us understand the pressures on this new generation of warfighters. Along the way we are introduced to an engaging cast of characters: a self-centered careerist squadron commander hell-bent on fixing his tainted professional reputation; a reluctant air-wing commander more suited for life within the walls of the Pentagon than on a flight deck at sea; a battle-group commander reared in the art of driving ships, but thrust into the snap decision matrix of supersonic jets; and a host of junior officers. Seeking only the ideals they were promised, these technology-savvy aviators are products of pop culture, unimpressed by rank for its own sake and unresponsive to petitions in the name of the profession's lofty mottos.
Unlike other books about the business of flying from aircraft carriers, this novel provides serious food for thought about leadership and retention--what motivates young people to keep doing what they do despite the dangers, disappointments, and personal sacrifices.
Punk's War is part adventure tale, part introspective commentary. Adopting the tone of the quixotic lieutenants who populate its pages, the novel helps us understand the pressures on this new generation of warfighters. Along the way we are introduced to an engaging cast of characters: a self-centered careerist squadron commander hell-bent on fixing his tainted professional reputation; a reluctant air-wing commander more suited for life within the walls of the Pentagon than on a flight deck at sea; a battle-group commander reared in the art of driving ships, but thrust into the snap decision matrix of supersonic jets; and a host of junior officers. Seeking only the ideals they were promised, these technology-savvy aviators are products of pop culture, unimpressed by rank for its own sake and unresponsive to petitions in the name of the profession's lofty mottos.
Unlike other books about the business of flying from aircraft carriers, this novel provides serious food for thought about leadership and retention--what motivates young people to keep doing what they do despite the dangers, disappointments, and personal sacrifices.
323 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published May 1, 2002
115 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 1, 2021
I enjoy Ward Carroll's YouTube channel, and have a lot of respect for him. Unfortunately, Punk's War needed a few more passes before it got published.
The positive side is that this book was what I expected: having been a Tomcat backseater for fifteen years, "Mooch" describes carrier aviation as it really is. Flying and fighting a jet is a complex endeavor: highly trained professionals need to be completely focused, or they crash their jets or lose their targets. They have to fly with their brains, not the seat of their pants. Their aircraft don't do their jobs for them, they have to know their radars, missiles, and flight envelope perfectly to do their job. They deal with broken and malfunctioning parts, deal with rules of engagement, and keep an impossible number of factors in mind at once.
It is fascinating to read about all the complexities of daily operations, such as that every aircraft type has a representative to explain its particulars as-needed to the overall commander of air wing operations. Even the radio operations procedures, like asking for "bogey dope" and reporting contacts back to the airborne controllers. It's this very real picture of air operations that makes Carroll's book stand out from typical fare that pays no attention to the real details.
Unfortunately, Carroll's book is also exactly what I expected: there are long passages that are totally pedestrian. There are about three "action" sequences in the book, the last of which is magnificent, and the rest is detailing the tedious and frustrating experience of daily life in the military. This is somewhat expected: veterans like to write novels where their heroes are bored out of their minds, to reflect the reality of service life. This might have been interesting the first time I saw it, but writing about how things are boring, is, itself, boring. The terminal ennui of servicemen worried about how their life takes its toll on their relationships, and the frustrations and drunken fights that amount to nothing, ultimately resolved through the shared experience of being in service together... if you've read it once, you've read it enough times.
Carroll needed to ruthlessly trim away the scenes of Punk being bored, lonely, frustrated, angry, jealous, and generally miserable, while sitting in bars, canteens, mess halls, and hotels. None of this sets Carroll apart from an endless number of other military novels, especially those written by veterans. It makes it sink into the mass. What makes it stand out is his genuine descriptions of air combat and air operations: he should have stuck to those more.
Finally, Carroll needs practice in the art of writing fiction. A lot of it. It's a learned skill, like any other, and Carroll is a beginner. Sentences various run on with no punctuation, or are wild jumbles of too many clauses. Too often I re-read a sentence, mentally sorting which clauses related to each other, because Carroll had blended together too many thoughts in one sentence. Scenes are often totally sterile, with no sense of action or life: a life-or-death dogfight can read the same as a pre-flight briefing. This is unfortunate, because, this is avoidable: all writers have to start somewhere. This just needed a dedicated editor to review it and explain what didn't work, and why, and allow Carroll to improve his craft iteratively.
I hope that Carroll finds someone to do this for him. Although it's been a long time since Punk's War came out, I would like to read what "Mooch" can create with just a bit more guidance.
The positive side is that this book was what I expected: having been a Tomcat backseater for fifteen years, "Mooch" describes carrier aviation as it really is. Flying and fighting a jet is a complex endeavor: highly trained professionals need to be completely focused, or they crash their jets or lose their targets. They have to fly with their brains, not the seat of their pants. Their aircraft don't do their jobs for them, they have to know their radars, missiles, and flight envelope perfectly to do their job. They deal with broken and malfunctioning parts, deal with rules of engagement, and keep an impossible number of factors in mind at once.
It is fascinating to read about all the complexities of daily operations, such as that every aircraft type has a representative to explain its particulars as-needed to the overall commander of air wing operations. Even the radio operations procedures, like asking for "bogey dope" and reporting contacts back to the airborne controllers. It's this very real picture of air operations that makes Carroll's book stand out from typical fare that pays no attention to the real details.
Unfortunately, Carroll's book is also exactly what I expected: there are long passages that are totally pedestrian. There are about three "action" sequences in the book, the last of which is magnificent, and the rest is detailing the tedious and frustrating experience of daily life in the military. This is somewhat expected: veterans like to write novels where their heroes are bored out of their minds, to reflect the reality of service life. This might have been interesting the first time I saw it, but writing about how things are boring, is, itself, boring. The terminal ennui of servicemen worried about how their life takes its toll on their relationships, and the frustrations and drunken fights that amount to nothing, ultimately resolved through the shared experience of being in service together... if you've read it once, you've read it enough times.
Carroll needed to ruthlessly trim away the scenes of Punk being bored, lonely, frustrated, angry, jealous, and generally miserable, while sitting in bars, canteens, mess halls, and hotels. None of this sets Carroll apart from an endless number of other military novels, especially those written by veterans. It makes it sink into the mass. What makes it stand out is his genuine descriptions of air combat and air operations: he should have stuck to those more.
Finally, Carroll needs practice in the art of writing fiction. A lot of it. It's a learned skill, like any other, and Carroll is a beginner. Sentences various run on with no punctuation, or are wild jumbles of too many clauses. Too often I re-read a sentence, mentally sorting which clauses related to each other, because Carroll had blended together too many thoughts in one sentence. Scenes are often totally sterile, with no sense of action or life: a life-or-death dogfight can read the same as a pre-flight briefing. This is unfortunate, because, this is avoidable: all writers have to start somewhere. This just needed a dedicated editor to review it and explain what didn't work, and why, and allow Carroll to improve his craft iteratively.
I hope that Carroll finds someone to do this for him. Although it's been a long time since Punk's War came out, I would like to read what "Mooch" can create with just a bit more guidance.
April 22, 2009
First, the author's credentials. Carroll served as a radar intercept officer, RIO, the guy in tha backseat of an F-14, for fifteen years and now teaches at the Naval Academy. So when he says that being shot off a catapult is "life pasing through him. . .all the 'accelerated roller coasters' and 'car crash and orgasm mixed into one' analaogies did not do the feeling injustice," he knows what he's talking about.
Punk is an F-14 fighter pilot whose unit is assigned to routine patrol off the coast of Iran. An Iranian jet sneaks through radar observation and makes a pass at the carrier, escaping when the Squadron commander makes a mistake and presses the gun toggle switch instead arming the missile. The result is an admiral totally paranoid that an enemy could come so close, so he orders round-the-clock combat air patrol (CAP) coverage by flyers with more than five hundred hours. This required more than three missions per day. This extremely demanding operation begins to wear out the machines and the men with numerous night landings, "a most terrifying task."
Fuzzy, one of the other pilots, loses a wheel on an aborted landing, forcing a barricade landing. "With that bit of news, Fuzzy promptly placed the contents of his bowels into the seat of his flight suit." When, on final approach, he loses his full complement of hydraulics, he contemplates ejection into the drink, the thought of "going for a swim might not be all that bad in that it would clean the mess out of his flight suit." He is reminded to drop all his weapons in case they would come off during the smash into the barricade, adding several millions of dollars to the ordnance cost of what they were now calling the "Great Iranian War," and Fuzzy muses, "If the Iraninans only knew how well they were doing now by doing nothing.
By now, his wingman, Punk, is way short of fuel and the Viking launched to gas him up develops a problem with the fueling cable forcing Punk, to head for the Air Force base in Kuwait. Unfortunately, the Air Force won't open the base (it's after two in the morning) because the request didn't come through the proper channels. So Smoke, the Punk's "rep" on the carrier, defies orders (Punk had been ordered to return to CAP position even though he had virtually no fuel left), and calls Kuwait International Airport, also closed, but he gets the facilities manager who says, sure, "give me two minutes ." "Smoke coudn't believe dealing with a Kuwaiti at a foreign international airport was easier than working with a U.S. Air Force officer, but then again, maybe that wasn't such a big surprise." No more spoilers.
You get the idea. This book is exciting, funny, and very realistic in the sense of confusion that reigns as the carrier staff try to juggle multiple problems to keep the planes flying as personal agendas compete with a variety of scenarios. Certainly makes you wonder....
Punk is an F-14 fighter pilot whose unit is assigned to routine patrol off the coast of Iran. An Iranian jet sneaks through radar observation and makes a pass at the carrier, escaping when the Squadron commander makes a mistake and presses the gun toggle switch instead arming the missile. The result is an admiral totally paranoid that an enemy could come so close, so he orders round-the-clock combat air patrol (CAP) coverage by flyers with more than five hundred hours. This required more than three missions per day. This extremely demanding operation begins to wear out the machines and the men with numerous night landings, "a most terrifying task."
Fuzzy, one of the other pilots, loses a wheel on an aborted landing, forcing a barricade landing. "With that bit of news, Fuzzy promptly placed the contents of his bowels into the seat of his flight suit." When, on final approach, he loses his full complement of hydraulics, he contemplates ejection into the drink, the thought of "going for a swim might not be all that bad in that it would clean the mess out of his flight suit." He is reminded to drop all his weapons in case they would come off during the smash into the barricade, adding several millions of dollars to the ordnance cost of what they were now calling the "Great Iranian War," and Fuzzy muses, "If the Iraninans only knew how well they were doing now by doing nothing.
By now, his wingman, Punk, is way short of fuel and the Viking launched to gas him up develops a problem with the fueling cable forcing Punk, to head for the Air Force base in Kuwait. Unfortunately, the Air Force won't open the base (it's after two in the morning) because the request didn't come through the proper channels. So Smoke, the Punk's "rep" on the carrier, defies orders (Punk had been ordered to return to CAP position even though he had virtually no fuel left), and calls Kuwait International Airport, also closed, but he gets the facilities manager who says, sure, "give me two minutes ." "Smoke coudn't believe dealing with a Kuwaiti at a foreign international airport was easier than working with a U.S. Air Force officer, but then again, maybe that wasn't such a big surprise." No more spoilers.
You get the idea. This book is exciting, funny, and very realistic in the sense of confusion that reigns as the carrier staff try to juggle multiple problems to keep the planes flying as personal agendas compete with a variety of scenarios. Certainly makes you wonder....
January 21, 2013
This story accurately depicts self absorbed jet pilots and the frequent frustrations of squadron life under bad leadership. It helps to be somewhat familiar with one or both of these facets to get full enjoyment out of the book, but it isn't completely necessary.
February 3, 2016
First in a series featuring Rick "Punk" Reichert as an F-14 Tomcat aviator who has a long-standing conflict with his incompetent squadron commander, becomes an unwilling player in military politics, and must fly in the dogfight of his life over Iraqi skies. An entertaining and nicely written story of carrier life from the eyes of an airman. Highly recommended for military and/or Navy buffs.
November 8, 2024
Rick Reichert, callsign Punk, is on deployment aboard an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf during the 1990s. While on hot standby for launch in an F-14, he is unexpectedly replaced in the jet by his squadron commander. As it turns out, an Iranian F-4 fighter wants to play games with the Americans, and things do not turn out well.
Mr. Carroll is a former Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) on the F-14, and has a popular YouTube channel. His depiction of life as a junior officer on a carrier is laced with gallows humour and slices of life. While there is a whiff of Top Gun, more often the characters are unwillingly caught in the politics and intrigue of higher-ups and just trying to get by. For these men, the mission is not the defense of freedom. It is simple survival, not only in the literal sense but just keeping it together in the unnatural confines of a warship, for months on end. The characters are alive, authentic, unwashed, and often hilarious. Punk and his comrades are prisoners of their situation quite far from glamorous warriors. A very insightful book on the human condition, as well as fascinating for the military aviation enthusiast.
https://www.books.rosboch.net/2024/10...
Mr. Carroll is a former Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) on the F-14, and has a popular YouTube channel. His depiction of life as a junior officer on a carrier is laced with gallows humour and slices of life. While there is a whiff of Top Gun, more often the characters are unwillingly caught in the politics and intrigue of higher-ups and just trying to get by. For these men, the mission is not the defense of freedom. It is simple survival, not only in the literal sense but just keeping it together in the unnatural confines of a warship, for months on end. The characters are alive, authentic, unwashed, and often hilarious. Punk and his comrades are prisoners of their situation quite far from glamorous warriors. A very insightful book on the human condition, as well as fascinating for the military aviation enthusiast.
https://www.books.rosboch.net/2024/10...
January 22, 2023
Punk's War accurately depicts squadron life for first tour Naval Aviators and the decisions they confront about whether to stay in or get out. Many details about Navy life, and Naval Aviation in the story are "spot on" descriptions, but for me the stress and fatigue felt during the final months/days of deployment were accurately recreated in the story. That part triggered many memories of my own deployments and watching the clock drag with constant thoughts of getting home.
A fun read. I highly recommend it.
A fun read. I highly recommend it.
March 9, 2022
really cool book, life on an aircraft carrier pre 9-11. Feels extremely authentic, I had the sensation I was in the room with the characters, well written and to the point. Good book for anyone interested in life in them military.
March 6, 2022
I was super surprised by this book. I picked it up because I was a fan of Carrolls youtube videos and heard he got his initial fame from writing this book. So I gave it a try.
It was super well written and it felt crazy authentic (it should be since he was a pilot on a carrier). The characters were really well sorted out and the story was compelling.
A great read
It was super well written and it felt crazy authentic (it should be since he was a pilot on a carrier). The characters were really well sorted out and the story was compelling.
A great read
October 8, 2014
An especially enjoyable book showing the frustration of military pilots, restricted by politicians. It also touched on the inter-service rivalry that existed during the war on Southwest Asia. While it focus's on one pilot in particular, it touches on several others including a ego minded squadron commander whose screw up earn his a promotion and a cushy job. Not a bad read
June 25, 2011
Hilarious novel of fighter pilots, by one who has been there. Carroll is a refreshing new voice.
November 23, 2011
Ward Carroll was my professor in college. This book is a fun easy read.
July 18, 2012
If you have a pilot nearby to explain the jargon, or if you are familiar with the scene, it is a great read... But if not... Be prepared. I was learning about it as I read.
February 27, 2013
This is what Top Gun should have been. Compelling, believable, and captivating.
May 10, 2022
Ward is a Naval Academy classmate of mine. I've greatly enjoyed his writing over the years and, more recently, his YouTube channel, on naval aviation and other military subjects. I agree with Stephen Coonts' characterization of Punk's War: "Tom Clancy meets Joseph Heller in in this riveting portrait of the fighter pilots of today's Navy." The technothriller aspect is nicely balanced with the inevitable political intrigues that are a fact of life in organizations filled with ambitious people with varying levels of capability. I look forward to reading Punk's Wing and Punk's Fight.
"Within the world of call signs there existed an unspoken hierarchy. At the bottom were pilots without one. Some were never given call signs simply because their existence was too neutral to earn them. . . 'Bill' spoke of an aviator who'd found the squadron's collective blind spot and stayed there - without the flair and popularity of the charismatic, the faculties of the well-timed, good-natured buffoons, or the talent of the naturally blessed - and of a man who'd also avoided dubious and spiteful appellations reserved for the infamous among them: the Snakes and the Darths." p28
"Within the world of call signs there existed an unspoken hierarchy. At the bottom were pilots without one. Some were never given call signs simply because their existence was too neutral to earn them. . . 'Bill' spoke of an aviator who'd found the squadron's collective blind spot and stayed there - without the flair and popularity of the charismatic, the faculties of the well-timed, good-natured buffoons, or the talent of the naturally blessed - and of a man who'd also avoided dubious and spiteful appellations reserved for the infamous among them: the Snakes and the Darths." p28
September 28, 2022
Great read from the ‘inside’.
I first listened to Mr Carrol’s podcasts and was watching one of his fascinating YouTube videos when he mentioned a book he had written (I think he is up to 3 now) - I quickly went to download a sample and was immediately engrossed in this storytelling masterpiece mixed with factual experience as a Naval Aviator flying the famous Tomcat (F14).
Started reading the entire book and wow - what an amazing story.
Ward writes so realistically that can almost feel the deck of an aircraft carrier under you… BUT it’s not just about flying these amazing machines it’s also about the camaraderie of like minded men - just ordinary men doing extraordinary things - it’s also about the microcosm of society that makes up the crew of these amazing carriers. It’s about the people and the ‘bump’ reactions with others - it’s about young men thrust into combat without fully understanding why.
Tie all this together with the ‘politics’ of this massive navy and you have a book that has you shaking your head and avidly devouring every single word.
What a read, what a story and definitely what a writer.
I first listened to Mr Carrol’s podcasts and was watching one of his fascinating YouTube videos when he mentioned a book he had written (I think he is up to 3 now) - I quickly went to download a sample and was immediately engrossed in this storytelling masterpiece mixed with factual experience as a Naval Aviator flying the famous Tomcat (F14).
Started reading the entire book and wow - what an amazing story.
Ward writes so realistically that can almost feel the deck of an aircraft carrier under you… BUT it’s not just about flying these amazing machines it’s also about the camaraderie of like minded men - just ordinary men doing extraordinary things - it’s also about the microcosm of society that makes up the crew of these amazing carriers. It’s about the people and the ‘bump’ reactions with others - it’s about young men thrust into combat without fully understanding why.
Tie all this together with the ‘politics’ of this massive navy and you have a book that has you shaking your head and avidly devouring every single word.
What a read, what a story and definitely what a writer.
July 6, 2021
The Truth Told as Fiction
This is a very interesting book. It details the everyday lives of pilots and rios. It also illustrates the many problems the military faces that are not apparent to those of us who have never served. Amazingly, the military faces the same types of difficulties as I experienced working for city, state, and federal governments, and even working in a corporate environment. Perhaps these difficulties exist in all work environments.
The expertise that go into mission planning is documented more in this book than any other I've read. After a through indoctrination of the day/night life of naval flight operations on an aircraft carrier, the author creates an intense situation that makes this book difficult to put down. The outcome is unexpected, but I suspect it's much more common that most of us would think possible. I highly recommend this book. It's written by a gentleman who has been there and done that himself and he has a gift for relating these kinds of problems and exploits in an entertaining fashion.
This is a very interesting book. It details the everyday lives of pilots and rios. It also illustrates the many problems the military faces that are not apparent to those of us who have never served. Amazingly, the military faces the same types of difficulties as I experienced working for city, state, and federal governments, and even working in a corporate environment. Perhaps these difficulties exist in all work environments.
The expertise that go into mission planning is documented more in this book than any other I've read. After a through indoctrination of the day/night life of naval flight operations on an aircraft carrier, the author creates an intense situation that makes this book difficult to put down. The outcome is unexpected, but I suspect it's much more common that most of us would think possible. I highly recommend this book. It's written by a gentleman who has been there and done that himself and he has a gift for relating these kinds of problems and exploits in an entertaining fashion.
March 4, 2024
Tomcats forever!
This was an interesting read, very well-written and rich in detail, but I would be lying if I said it felt good to read. If your view of the navy and its corps is flawless polish and honor, look somewhere else.
Punk's War very much presents the darker and grimier side of the medal, portraying maddening bureaucracy, incompetence at every level, supply lines in shambles and characters struggling daily with the desire to leave it all behind.
The book is pretty much the opposite of a fanciful excursion into romanticized skies and honestly comes across like the writer needed to ride himself of a bad aftertaste post-career.
The main character's detached aloofness throughout is supposed to be reflective, but in reality only serves to make him feel weirdly disconnected from the events unfolding around him, which further decentivises the reader from investing.
All in all, it's good to be exposed to different angles than the default idyllic you see everywhere else, but this might be a touch too far for some.
This was an interesting read, very well-written and rich in detail, but I would be lying if I said it felt good to read. If your view of the navy and its corps is flawless polish and honor, look somewhere else.
Punk's War very much presents the darker and grimier side of the medal, portraying maddening bureaucracy, incompetence at every level, supply lines in shambles and characters struggling daily with the desire to leave it all behind.
The book is pretty much the opposite of a fanciful excursion into romanticized skies and honestly comes across like the writer needed to ride himself of a bad aftertaste post-career.
The main character's detached aloofness throughout is supposed to be reflective, but in reality only serves to make him feel weirdly disconnected from the events unfolding around him, which further decentivises the reader from investing.
All in all, it's good to be exposed to different angles than the default idyllic you see everywhere else, but this might be a touch too far for some.
June 27, 2025
Admittedly, when I review books, I tend to generally give 5-star reviews to non-fiction vs fiction. Ward Carroll’s novel is one of the exceptions but that’s probably because of his background as a RIO and his ability to paint such a vivid and accurate picture of what service in the military entails.
Carroll’s fluid writing style and snarky insider perspective are amazing.
As an Army veteran of 30 years, I am very familiar with the Catch-22 life that comes with military service. Most of my best stories are about the stupidity and almost criminal incompetence that most veterans like me have faced while trying to serve our nation and not get killed. What makes the frustrations and long family separations palatable, however, is the bond you form with your comrades in arms who become your second family. But with like with most families, you love most of them but some of them are big pains in butt.
This is a wonderfully accurate and well-written tome on the challenges most military face and I highly recommend it.
Carroll’s fluid writing style and snarky insider perspective are amazing.
As an Army veteran of 30 years, I am very familiar with the Catch-22 life that comes with military service. Most of my best stories are about the stupidity and almost criminal incompetence that most veterans like me have faced while trying to serve our nation and not get killed. What makes the frustrations and long family separations palatable, however, is the bond you form with your comrades in arms who become your second family. But with like with most families, you love most of them but some of them are big pains in butt.
This is a wonderfully accurate and well-written tome on the challenges most military face and I highly recommend it.
December 12, 2025
The story is impressively engaging. It provides a window into carrier life and the excitment of navy aviation without getting into unnecessary detail. The relationship tensions caused by long absences while at sea add to the realism of the story. It was clearly writting by a navy pilot. The book also gives insight into the ethical dilemma’s pilots face such as the relationship between military leadership and politics/public image of the navy, and clearly shows the demands placed on pilots and the leadership. The book gives helpful insights into leadership requirements.
The only thing I dislike about this audiobook are the many curses. Men should realize that they don’t look tougher if they curse. Speaking words of wisdom and building others up with your words is the hallmark of strong men.
The only thing I dislike about this audiobook are the many curses. Men should realize that they don’t look tougher if they curse. Speaking words of wisdom and building others up with your words is the hallmark of strong men.
December 28, 2023
"Punk's War" by Ward Carroll provides a realistic portrayal of military aviation, leveraging the author's firsthand experience. While the novel to some extent captures the intensity of aerial combat, some readers may find moments of the plot lacking in pacing. The narrative, although authentic, occasionally suffers from dull stretches that may hinder engagement. Despite these occasional drawbacks, Carroll's expertise ensures a genuine depiction of military life.
November 15, 2019
Good book, but a little too much about the daily life and minutia of the office's life and struggle with superior offices. Little short in the flying part to me. I know Ward Carroll is a hell of a smart man and great to listen to about politics on the Press Pool, but I'll have to think about reading any more in the series.
May 21, 2021
Really good.
Naval fiction is hard to do well, but the author of this one pulled it off. It's also really very funny in places, and comparisons with Catch 22 are to be made. Ok, it's not as ingenious as that novel, but it says a lot of interesting things about leadership and the USN. Good read, particularly for fans of DCS.
Naval fiction is hard to do well, but the author of this one pulled it off. It's also really very funny in places, and comparisons with Catch 22 are to be made. Ok, it's not as ingenious as that novel, but it says a lot of interesting things about leadership and the USN. Good read, particularly for fans of DCS.
March 10, 2023
If you like books about the military, this one is specifically the Navy. This book follows Punk, an idealistic pilot who has to deal with some not so great commanding officers. I did read this one with my bookclub! It was a great book for discussions. It was also neat because some of my friends' parents had been in the military, so they shared what they thought as well. Definitely learned a few new things while reading this book. Overall, it was a pretty good read, even if it's a tad outside my regular picks.
October 14, 2024
What I love most about this book is the administration behind the scenes, the daily trudge to maintain flight operations. I've been in commercial aviation for 35 years and the same things happen with the airlines. Some of the scenes had me laughing out loud. I wish I read this book before writing my own novel on naval aviation.
August 12, 2020
Exciting and realistic story
An exciting novel of carrier-based fighter pilots in the Mideast. Fun to learn about the technology. Hopefully, the real brass aren’t actually as clueless as some of them are in this novel. Good story.
An exciting novel of carrier-based fighter pilots in the Mideast. Fun to learn about the technology. Hopefully, the real brass aren’t actually as clueless as some of them are in this novel. Good story.
August 31, 2022
The Peter Principle is alive and well in the U.S. Navy command structure, as it is in every organization. The scary thing about narcissistic leaders in the military is that wars get started and people get killed.
A slight digression: Narcissistic politicians are even more frightening.
A slight digression: Narcissistic politicians are even more frightening.
February 19, 2023
This story accurately depicts self absorbed jet pilots and the frequent frustrations of squadron life under bad leadership. The narration was good and added to the story. These typical fighter pilots who have all the foibles of regular people on top of an "attitude" and an ego as big as the boat.
September 21, 2023
I liked it. Not predictable (as in 50's Navy movies like Caine Mutiny). Probable an objective look at some weak Navy leaders who might not have been the best person for the job. The F14 were gorgeous and fearsome!
November 21, 2023
I enjoy reading about life on an aircraft carrier. Punk's War is mostly that - life on a carrier. This includes all the 'office politics' that goes on. There are some exciting moments involving jets in the air and landing on the carrier. But I've read stories with more excitement elsewhere. Punk's War is a fitting title. To me, Punk always seems in a depressed or worried state. He does his share of complaining. I did enjoy the story and am glad that I read it. But if I could do so, I'd rate this story as 3 1/2 stars.
August 5, 2025
Sorta flight of the intruder without the flight bit. The drama very well may be indicative and realistic for the life of a pilot, but was difficult to get through. When he writes about the aircraft and the flying, Carroll does great, but drama was mediocre at best and generally uninteresting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews